The meeting began with a significant tribute to the former mayors of the Borough of Un, coinciding with the borough’s 75th anniversary. The recognition ceremony highlighted the contributions of several past mayors, including Buzzy Tarquino, who served from 1964 to 1965. Accompanied by his family, Tarquino was remembered for establishing the local fire company and owning Buzzy’s Meat Market. His military service and community dedication earned him the Dr. JP Cler Outstanding Citizen Award. Remarks during the ceremony included personal anecdotes about Tarquino’s impact, with a speaker praising his role in fostering community spirit.

Following Tarquino, Lis Fuchi, mayor from 1966 to 1967, was honored. Known for his charitable actions, Fuchi provided essentials like clothing and shoes to children in need without seeking recognition. The tribute underscored his quiet generosity and love for the community, with a speaker noting, “He was a generous person, giving and caring, never publicizing his good works.”

Joseph A. Perell Senor, who served from 1984 to 1981, was also acknowledged. A tax assessor and a deacon, Perell left a legacy of compassion and service. Personal stories shared during the ceremony illustrated his deep commitment to his family and the community, with the speaker stating, “Joe’s love for his family was unparalleled.”

The final honoree was Mayor Genetti, who served for a decade. His family attended as the speaker highlighted Genetti’s achievements, such as establishing an environmental commission and organizing community events. Genetti’s tenure focused on efficient governance and cost-effective measures for taxpayers. In his remarks, Genetti emphasized the collective effort of the community and the enduring relationships formed during his time in office.

The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of a dedicated wall honoring these mayors. This recognition underscored the community’s appreciation for their leadership and the personal connections they fostered.

The meeting then addressed community matters, starting with the ongoing issue of sports field allocation. During the public comment session, a resident expressed concerns over the limited access to fields for youth softball teams. The resident highlighted that the backfield, shared with baseball, was predominantly reserved for travel baseball, forcing softball teams to practice in less favorable conditions in Connell’s Lakes. The resident’s frustrations were echoed by others, who called for equitable sharing of field time between baseball and softball leagues. A suggestion was made to alternate field usage more fairly to ensure both sports have adequate access.

The council acknowledged the concerns and confirmed efforts to improve field conditions, including pursuing grants for lighting upgrades. The discussion on field access underscored the need for balanced resource allocation to support the growing interest in youth softball.

Public safety was another topic, with residents raising concerns about speeding vehicles on Kimberly Lane. One resident reported discussions with the police chief about the issue, emphasizing the risk to children in the area. The resident also mentioned a missing safety sign for a blind child, which had been reported to the authorities. These concerns highlighted the community’s demand for enhanced safety measures and enforcement.

The meeting proceeded with routine council matters, including updates on the Route 40 resiliency project, a federal drainage initiative. The project aims to address longstanding drainage issues and is scheduled for completion by summer 2025. The council also discussed budget preparations for 2025, focusing on managing tax rates amid rising inflation.

In the public hearing section, ordinance number 763 was introduced, outlining a bond ordinance for $3.5 million intended for capital improvements to the sanitary source system. The council detailed a joint agreement with the Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA) for major sanitary reconstruction, with funding coming as a forgivable loan. This initiative aims to enhance the borough’s infrastructure and improve sanitary conditions.

Committee reports followed, with discussions on code enforcement issues, budget monitoring, and public safety statistics. The EMS reported 104 calls in December, while the police department handled 819 service calls, including motor vehicle stops and medical assists. The chief acknowledged the increased support for EMS services over the past year.

Recreation updates included a reorganization of the department and plans for community events, such as a breakfast with the Easter Bunny and a concert series. Improvements to borough facilities, including the installation of an ADA-compliant door at the Louise Brazil Center, received positive feedback.